Tuesday, November 04, 2014

The Development of Truth in the Human Mind

The development of truth in the human mind always proceeds slowly, and step by step. Even when the whole beginning and sure foundation is already found, or, rather, given, the inner evolution and external application of true science unfolds itself with extreme tardiness. At each point of progress much still remains to be overcome, much to be improved, and even to be thought upon once more, and reconsidered over and over again. Often, too, at the very last moment, an unexpected obstacle presents itself, or some new procrastination of a conscientious doubt or care.

3 comments:

This is such a striking passage in its foreseeing some issues now hijacked by psychology, like what pop science distinguishes as emotional intelligence, separate from intelligence.Have you experienced that phenomenon when the mind formulates a question in a slightly different way and then cannot order previously read texts into that new category: one cannot remember what one has read that would answer the new question?One such question I have is about precedents to this issue of the hindrances that keep one from exercising what one thinks one knows (by precedents, I mean pre-18th century). It is "Les mardis da la musique ancienne" at France Musique in case you happen to be online and seeking that kind of respite-this I add by way of reciprocation because I have benefitted from your music suggestions in the past.

You're right that sometimes reformulating the question slightly differently makes one realize that there's still something not quite understood. I think one of the modern temptations is glibness in learning -- to think that when we've learned it, that's it. But as Schlegel says, real learning requires returning again and again.

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Caveats

For a rough introduction to my philosophy of blogging, including the Code of Amiability I try to follow on this weblog, please read my fifth anniversary post. I consider blogging to be a very informal type of publishing - like putting up thoughts on your door with a note asking for comments. Nothing in this weblog is done rigorously: it's a forum to let my mind be unruly, a place for jottings and first impressions. Because I consider posts here to be 'literary seedings' rather than finished products, nothing here should be taken as if it were anything more than an attempt to rough out some basic thoughts on various issues. Learning to look at any topic philosophically requires, I think, jumping right in, even knowing that you might be making a fool of yourelf; so that's what I do. My primary interest in most topics is the flow and structure of reasoning they involve rather than their actual conclusions, so most of my posts are about that. If, however, you find me making a clear factual error, let me know; blogging is a great way to get rid of misconceptions.